Pauline Graham

Pauline “Polli” Graham passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, after a brief illness, surrounded by her beloved family and friends. A longtime resident of Weymouth, Massachusetts, Polli lived a life defined by service, faith, and an unwavering devotion to the people she loved.

Polli dedicated her professional life to nursing, spending nearly four decades caring for patients at some of the most respected hospitals in the world. She saved lives, steadied families in moments of crisis, and advocated fiercely for those who needed a voice. From trauma care at Massachusetts General Hospital, to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children’s Hospital, to her later work as a rehabilitation liaison at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Polli brought intelligence, precision, and compassion to every role she held. She was a leader, a teacher, and a trusted guide—training nurses, shaping policies, and helping families navigate some of the most overwhelming moments of their lives.

But if you asked Polli what her greatest job was, she would say “aunt.” Polli was the proud and devoted aunt to nine nieces and nephews, and a deeply loving great-aunt to her great-niece and great-nephew. She believed the world was meant to be seen—and made sure her nieces and nephews saw it. She took them on plane rides, opened their eyes to life beyond their front doors, and taught them how to be curious, brave, and independent. She showed them that learning didn’t stop with school, and that asking questions—especially hard ones—was what needed to be done.

A fierce reader, passionate lover of politics, and the meanest Jeopardy! player on the block, Polli was a lifelong learner in every sense of the word. She traveled widely with close friends, marveling at Greece and Egypt, and never missed her annual trip to Atlanta to visit her best friend, Toby. Her friendships were deep and lasting—so much so that many of them became family. Polli’s reach as an aunt extended far beyond blood. Countless people lovingly called her “Auntie Polli,” phoning regularly to check in, share stories, seek advice, or simply hear her voice.

Her faith was steady and sincere. A devoted Catholic, Polli made sure no one called during Sunday Mass and always showed up after Palm Sunday with palms in hand. Faith, for Polli, was lived through action, kindness, and showing up for others.

Polli is survived by her sisters: Brenda Fahey and Susan Doucette; her nieces and nephews: Michael, Fallyn (Terrell), Tommy, Laci, Velvet, and Mather; her great-niece, Madelyn; and her great-nephew, Dominic. She was preceded in death by her parents, Barbara Pollard, Colonel Edward Graham, and Merle Graham; her brothers-in-law, Richard and Harry; and her beloved nephew, Ryan.

Polli’s life was full of purpose, laughter, learning, faith, and love. She made people feel seen, protected, and encouraged to live bigger lives. Her legacy lives on in the countless patients she cared for, the family she shaped, and the many people who were lucky enough to call her Auntie Polli.

Visiting hours will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026, and will conclude with a Funeral Service at 6:30 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield, Massachusetts.